M.P. dubbed 'political cowboy’ at inquiry

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 22

M.P. dubbed 'political cowboy’ at inquiry

PA Auckland The member of Parliament for Whangarei, Mr John Banks, has been dubbed a “political cowboy” after delivering submissions to the Committee of Inquiry into industrial relations at Marsden Point.

Mr John Haigh, counsel for the Federation of Labour and three unions, said comments by Mr Banks were unworthy of crossexamination.

“This gentleman has just proved himself to be a political cowboy by coming along here purporting to hold a brief for a group of unnamed workers,” said Mr Haigh. Mr Banks said he deliv-

ered his submissions because he believed the views of the ordinary worker on the refinery site might not be fully canvassed. “It is my fear that the impression given will only reflect the small percentage of militant unions who are controlled and manipulated by union bosses outside the project,” he said. “As the project proceeded they became more and more frustrated and angry at the continual strikes and stoppages, most of them instigated by the militant minority which have cost workers thousands of dollars in lost pay.” Earlier, the inquiry heard cross-examination of Mr Cliff Colquhoun, an Engineers’ Union safety delegate on the site.

Mr Colquhoun gave his submission on Monday, but the committee ruled that publication of evidence should be deferred until cross-examination had been heard. Counsel for the Marsden Refinery Constructors, Mr

David Abbott, tried on Tuesday to have Mr Colquhoun’s entire evidence deferred, but the application was rejected.

Mr Colquhoun made special reference to the lack of safety precautions for the use of asbestos gaskets.

“It is clear that it must have been known to both the Refining Company and to M.R.C. that the use of asbestos was an integral part of the construction, yet there has never been any attempt to take adequate safety precautions.” Mr Colquhoun said that a seminar on asbestos was held after it was revealed that asbestos was in use on the site. Under cross-examination by Mr Abbott, Mr Colquhoun said the Health Department had done tests, but he was not satisfied with the extent of its recommendations for safety measures.

Those recommendations were riot being put into practice on the site either, said Mr Colquhoun.